Page:Miscellaneous Plays 1.pdf/82

RAYNER (fiercely roused).

What, say'd thou so? (Turning to the crowd.)

————————Ye who surround me too,
Each with the form and countenance of a man,
Say ye 'tis not permitted?
To you I do stretch forth these fetter'd hands,
And call you men: O, let me not miscall you!

VOICES FROM THE CROWD.

Fie, on't! unbind his hands, unbind his hands,

And we will stand his sureties.

BERTRAM (stepping forward in a supplicating posture to the officer).

Do but unbind his hands a little space,

And shoot me thro' the head if he escape.
My arm secured him; be my recompense
This one request.

OFFICER (to Bertram).

Go to; thou art a brave man but a weak one.

(To the guard) Move on; we halt no longer.

CROWD.

By all good saints we stand by the brave Bertram,

And he shall be unshackled. (Menacingly.)

OFFICER.

Soldiers, present your muskets to these madmen,

And let them speak; the prisoner halts no longer;

Move on. (A tumult between the crowd and the guard, and Rayner is forced off the stage by the soldiers.)